Radicals close UOC temple in Dolyna near Ivano-Frankivsk

In the city of Dolyna, Ivano-Frankivsk region, local activists have secured the closure of the UOC church in honor of John the Baptist, the Dolyna City Council YouTube channel reports.

“Those conscious have run out of patience – they consider the confession (UOC – Ed.) an enemy, because for a long time it was under the cultural influence of Russian Orthodoxy, and the clergy had ambiguous opinions about patriotic sentiments in Ukraine,” the video says.

Father Vladimir, rector of the UOC church in Dolyna, accepted the terms of the activists and agreed to close the church on April 3 at 2 pm after the thanksgiving service.

“In 2009 we bought this building, we have been serving in this church for 13 years. The word ‘Russian; is not alien to us, Prince Daniel of Galicia bore the title – King of Rus. Our church is not politically engaged; when hostilities began, the UOC declared the war unacceptable. Our defenders are the parishioners of the UOC. The Tomos of the OCU, which Ukraine received two years ago, does not give such independence as our Church received in 1991 from the ROC. We have been given autonomy with broad rights. Since that time, we have been an independent structure, we serve the Lord God and pray for peace in Ukraine, we call everyone to peace, kindness and love,” the priest said.

Local activists, however, are not convinced by these facts.

“On March 28, a bill was submitted to the Verkhovna Rada to ban the Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. In this regard, we decided to stop their activities. The Church must cease its activities in the territory of our community. By agreement, on April 3 at 14:00, the building, where the services were held, should be closed and sealed. Starting today, we will not let anyone in here, we are starting to be on duty around the clock so that nothing is brought into or taken out of the territory. If the agreement is fulfilled tomorrow, we will consider that we have done our job!” said local activist Nikolai Vasiliev.

Also, law enforcement officers with a local deputy searched the temple and vehicles. They didn't find anything suspicious.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the authorities of Nadvirna are threatening to confiscate property for renting out premises to the UOC.

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